Monday, July 13, 2015

The one who sleeps through cavity fillings.

I have this boy. He's wild and crazy. He's sweet as pie. I call him my Sour Patch Kid, because first he's sour and then he's oh-so-sweet. His Daddy calls him the Honey Badger because this kid? Just.Don't.Care. He does what he wants, when he wants, and really cannot be bothered with listening to anyone. Of course, that can be an issue when we're, you know, trying to parent.

If there's something to climb, he'll climb it. He has one noise level, and that is loud. He needs his sleep and will fall asleep within seconds when he needs it. And apparently, he'll even fall asleep in the dentist's chair. During a cavity filling. Twice.

A few weeks ago, we headed to the pediatric dentist because our dentist found 4 cavities in Kiernan's teeth - one in each back molar. The pediatric dentist explained that the enamel most likely did not form completely into the very deep grooves of his molars, leaving them very susceptible to cavities. After I was finished jumping for joy that this was a developmental issue and not a giant parenting fail, the dentist informed me that he would do the 2 left side fillings that day and that we would come back in a couple weeks to do the 2 right side fillings.

Kiernan was a trooper through the numbing process and only winced and squeezed my hand a bit. After that, he laid perfectly still in the chair, with his big sunglasses on, while the dentist softly explained what he was doing every step of the way. When he was all finished with the top tooth, the dentist told Kiernan that he was ready to switch to the bottom ... and Kiernan didn't respond. The dentist lifted up Kiernan's sunglasses and the kid was sound asleep! The dentist, dental assistant, and I all chuckled a bit. He woke up happy and declared that he was excited to come back for the other 2 fillings.

Fast forward 2 weeks, we happily returned for another round. My guy was a trooper through the numbing process again ... and fell asleep mid-filling again too. Of course we headed out for a frozen treat afterward, because everyone should be rewarded with something cold and sweet after dental work. It's a rule.

I love any chance I get to spend one-on-one time with my boys. Listening to stories, chatting about their brothers, or planning weekend fun, it's all priceless memories for me. I know them better than anyone on this earth, and yet they surprise me all the time. As I sat there looking at my "baby" laying in the dentist's chair, I couldn't help but stare in amazement at his long, lanky body. The 4T pants that fit perfectly a few short weeks ago now barely hit his ankles. My typically fidgety kiddo, was just sitting there, perfectly still while the dentist explained what he was would do next. It just amazes me how fast these boys are growing and changing, developing their own little personalities and turning into really awesome little people. I'd be lying if I said that I love every minute of it, but I sure do love days like this.